Meri's Musings

Postcards from Paradise: Artful Flora

2012-03-11T10:55:00.001-07:00

Paradise can sometimes be found

at the intersection of art and flora.

Postcards from Paradise

Haiku My Heart: It's Not Spring Yet

2012-03-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

snow blankets the world

with a hush of powdered white

too cold for sugar

Share The Joy: Color, Details, and Progress

2012-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

What’s bringing me JOY this week?

Color, as usual. Little bits and scraps,

layers, found art.

Architectural details.

Quirky signs.

But most of all,

progress on the memoir.

A prologue and four chapters edited,

several others mapped out.

Yippee!

What brings YOU joy?

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Camera Bag

2012-03-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

One of the nifty software bits I have

is called Camera Bag.

There’s a new version 2 out.

I just bought it and haven’t played with itmuch,

though I will report that it got unstable andfroze

on my first use and didn’t automatically save

images to a Camera Bag folder in my picturessuperfolder

like the original version did.

Some more experimentation is called for.

I Camera Bagged one of my mandala images

So you can see the variety of options available

For re-imaging. Same size, same borders foreach.

Here's the original.

Using a "1974" version

Helga version

"Instant"

Cinema

Colorcross (hitting the reprocess button a couple of times)

and finally

Silver

There are even more options for processing and framing

in Camera Bag 2.

It's on sale for $24 right now.

There's a 30 day free trial in PCs and Mac formats.

You can get it for your mobile phone, as well.

Postcards from Paradise: Venezia

2012-03-04T13:49:00.001-08:00

One place I call a heart-home

Or Paradise, if you will,

Is Venice, Queen of the Sea.

She called her siren song to me the first time

when I was deeply in love with my beloved,

and we explored her charms together.

When I was back to just me,

I feared it was the memory of “us”

that I loved about Venice

and not Venice herself,

so I revisited her alone

with great trepidation.

But no, it was the lady herself

in all her many moods

who had whispered to my heart

and beckoned me back.

Postcards from Paradise.

Enough Said

2012-03-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

There’s free speech.

And then there’s downright offensivespeech

that should come at a cost.

The loss of advertising revenue seemsapropos.

To read about sponsors dropping out
in light of Rush's vile remarks,
click HERE.

Dangerous Thinking

2012-03-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

This falls in the category of “dangerous thoughts.”

While it’s a romantic notion to believe in aforever kind of love,

in reality, we all know that – more often than not --

happy beginnings morph into difficult endings.

Believing “I can’t stop loving you”

puts you inthe victim position.

It says you have no choice

but to stay stuck in anemotional downdraft.

Is that where you want to be?

Some relationships have a short shelf life.

Healyour heart and move on.

Dying of unrequited love

is a waste of a life.

Share the Joy: Tests

2012-02-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

There’s someJOYful news in our family.

Someone's going to have a little brother or sister.

He says he wants 6 brothers. . .

I hope he doesn't get his wish,

at least not all at once.

I think a baby girl would be a nice idea.

I think I'll ask the fairies for a bit of

baby girl pixie dust.

What’sbringing you JOY this week?

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Stillness

2012-02-28T11:50:00.003-08:00

"Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary

to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

Hermann Hesse

Share the Joy: Art & Quotes

2012-02-22T20:19:00.001-08:00

Peace is joy at rest, and joy is peace on itsfeet.

Anne Lamott (from Plan B)

(unknown work at the Seattle Art Museum -

I liked its organic quality and the hint of a long-buried past)

another piece on display at Seattle Art Museum

in a collection of African works --

this piece is all from recycled materials

I find enormous JOY in seeing things other people create.

Where did you find JOY this week?

1. do a post that tells and shows us

what gives you joy.

2. Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into the Mr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Then click the NEXT box (or the link)

to choose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so that people are enticed to visit your blog.

If you just can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'll try to link it for you.

4. Visit other players -- as many as possible --

and let their joy infect you.

Leave them a comment, because everyone enJOYS

getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of joy!

Disparate

2012-02-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

What goes together?

What makes our mind register

a commonality in disparate objects?

At what point does nature stop and art begin?

Dive into the questions.

In nature, life, love and art.

Share the Joy: Happy Words

2012-02-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

It’s that time again. Unleash your JOY!

This week, I’m sharing myHappy Words.

What gives you JOY?

1. do a post that tells and shows us

what gives you joy.

2. Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into the Mr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Then click the NEXT box (or the link)

to choose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so that people are enticed to visit your blog.

If you just can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'll try to link it for you.

4. Visit other players -- as many as possible --

and let their joy infect you.

Leave them a comment, because everyone enJOYS

getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of joy!

To Lift Your Spirits. . .

2012-02-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

Take every opportunity to sit in the sunshine.

Whisper in the ear of an angel.

Turn off the alarm and snuggle with your beloved.

Wear funny shoes.

Dream of romantic places.

Show your emotions.

Bring flowers home on a whim.

and

Just be Yourself.

Share the Joy: Travel

2012-02-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

Wednesday alwayssneaks up on me.

Before I know it,it’s past time for

Share the Joy tobe posted.

Today, when I’mfeeling tired

and bogged downby rain,

I’m celebratingthe JOY I’ve known

from traveling tomarvelous places.

What gives youJOY?

1. do a post that tells and shows us

what gives you joy.

2. Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into the Mr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Then click the NEXT box (or the link)

to choose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so that people are enticed to visit your blog.

If you just can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'll try to link it for you.

4. Visit other players -- as many as possible --

and let their joy infect you.

Leave them a comment, because everyone enJOYS

getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of joy!

Field Trip

2012-02-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Sunny Day.

I'm short on inspiration.

Time for a field trip. . . .

Have to drive to Seattle

for a coaching appointment

and a rescheduled memoir class

anyway

so it’s a great excuse

to enjoy pretty things

on a 60 degree February day

with brilliant blue skies

before indulging in a small but delicious

chocolate shake.

It's all about little moments

and eye candy.

Haiku My Heart: Color

2012-02-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Haiku My Heart

the heavensopened

color poured forth upon earth

ultimate beauty

Share the Joy: Rebecca and Gavin

2012-02-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

There are two entries on my JOY list

even though I’m a little late in posting.

Rebecca is on the mend, so I thank you

for all the good thoughts and prayers for her.

It's a joy for me to see her here,

looking sassy with Deb and Steph.

You rock -- all of you!

I got to spend the afternoon and evening

in our state’s Senate gallery, waiting for

the vote on the Marriage Equality Bill.

My son Gavin is interning this session

for Senator Mary Margaret Haugen,

the most senior senator.

(Ok - not a good picture, but he didn't want me

to take this picture. He does love getting to dress like

a businessman instead of a college student.)

Because she announced two weeks ago

that she’d changed her position and

would vote in favor of the bill,

Gavin has had to deal with a lot of unhappypeople

and a bunch of reporters and camera folks.

So yesterday was BIG for his office.

The bill passed the Senate 28 -21,

a wider than expected margin.

The person with the microphone is Senator Murray,

the bill's sponsor. The woman in the red top and black pants

is our governor, Christine Gregoire.

(There will be a signature drive for areferendum

putting the issue before the voters, so it’s not

a for-sure thing that same sex marriage will beavailable).

It was a joy to meet the senator and her staff

and see my son so enthused about the politicalprocess.

It was fun to ride home with him and hear about him

standing behind the governor in the wings and

even chatting with her.

So what’s your bundle of joy this week?

1. do a post that tells and shows us

what gives you joy.

2. Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into the Mr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Then click the NEXT box (or the link)

to choose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so that people are enticed to visit your blog.

If you just can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'll try to link it for you.

4. Visit other players -- as many as possible --

and let their joy infect you.

Leave them a comment, because everyone enJOYS

getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of joy!

Walk With Rebecca

2012-01-30T17:32:00.000-08:00

Walk with Rebecca.

Walk for hope. Personify compassion.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

For more info,

go to MuscleWalkMDA

and visit Rebecca's blog.

Time Machines

2012-01-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

We allhave our time machines.

Some take us back: they’re called memories.

Some takeus forward; they’re called dreams.

- JeremyIrons

Prayers for Rebecca

2012-01-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

Today there will be no Share the Joy.

It will have to wait until there’s news of Rebecca.

She’s undergoing painful surgery today

I’m asking you to light a candle

Send healing thoughts to the All There Is

Ask the Virgin

to intercede if you're so inclined

Or maybe Rebecca's virgin. . . .

And infuse Rebecca’s body and spirit with

Light and Joy.

Share the Joy: Bizarro Snowmen

2012-01-18T17:09:00.000-08:00

It snowed last night and into respectable hours of the morning.

The swaths of pristine white gave me JOY.

But what amused me was how bizarre 20-somethings get

When they’re building a snowman.

I think it's time to get pathologist Megan Hunt,

the Body of Proof character from the coroner's office

to do a sno-topsy.

What gives you joy?

1. do a post that tells and shows us

what gives you joy.

2. Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into the Mr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Then click the NEXT box (or the link)

to choose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so that people are enticed to visit your blog.

If you just can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'll try to link it for you.

4. Visit other players -- as many as possible --

and let their joy infect you.

Leave them a comment, because everyone enJOYS

getting positive feedback.

Let's start an epidemic of joy!

Snow Day Misery

2012-01-17T23:55:00.000-08:00

Here's my post to FinallyMe.com today:

It's a snowday here. Schools are closed and roads are treacherous. The kind of day youstay inside and eat oatmeal or mashed potatoes, at least if you're me. The kind of day that I go through my email inbox to sort out what's akeeper and what can go, all because I know I have a couple of tasks to work onand my brain is a little sluggish from the cold.

One of the emails was of the "here are your online datingmatches -- aren't you excited?" variety. Clicked on it to find threeso-called specimens. . . uh, make that candidates. So I read the first profile.

Now my general position at this point is that I enjoy my owncompany and have great girlfriends, so a man is optional. On the otherhand, I maintain the belief that it never hurts to look because you might findsomeone special whose company you enjoy even more than your own.

Not today. Today, looking mangled my sensibilities.

Here's the profile (with a couple of details altered for privacy,though I don't know why I should care):

I m 56 in body and 19 in desires. I have been married 2 tlmes.Once 4 32 years with 2 daughters. She passed away then, i met and married thewrong women 8 months ago. We serated because i was not getting enough someother thing that i will tell in private, but not here. The person i wantto meet must be super affectionnut (in private) . I have been married to once aweek ladyies, But, never again. I require severral times a day without stringsattached. My social life is quite and in small groups that I love to be with.Only positive people. I do not want to be around negitive people. I want afriend with benifits that we both want. I do not want a one way friendship.Dont contact me if you want to change me. Only women who likes giving andrecieving most types of play are willing to try it need aply for my body. Wemust both like exploring each other. My most passionate thing is governmentsthat do not solve the homless problem.

He lists his politics as conservative. I notice he says hemarried the wrong "women" 8 months ago, which makes me wonder aboutthe small groups he loves to be with.

I have no interest in this one (gosh, gee whiz -- are you thinkingI'm too picky?) and, as a result, I'm willing to share the riches. Please contact me ifyou're a several times a day without strings attached lady. (Is that anon-sequiter?) I'll put you in touch.

Any takers out there?

Share the Joy: Little Bits

2012-01-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

Today the JOYcomes from

Knowing theproject that I’ve been

Working likecrazy on is almost ready to launch

so I can finally catch up on other things

I've been neglecting. . . .

The blue skies(even if it IS cold)

Starting back upin the Memoir class, pt.2

And knowing thatI’ve already been critiqued

on my 3000 wordpiece

(it helps tovolunteer for the first week slots)

What spells JOY for you?

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Shine

2012-01-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

Hubble Telescope Image

Listen to me:
The secret is to shine your own light
and follow your own path.
Don't worry about the darkness.
Only in darkness do the stars shine brightly.

Essence

2012-01-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Thousandsof candles can be lighted from a single candle,

and the life of the candle willnot be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Buddha

My word for this year is ESSENCE.

The heart of who I am.

I am living from that place

and it’s there that you will know me.

May the blessings of peace be yours

as you go through your day.

Share the Joy

2012-01-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

What gives me JOY?

Men who bring flowers (especially scented ones),

help me on with my coat, hold chairs and open doors.

Men who love movies where no one dies or blows anything up.

Men who make me laugh and make me remember

that I can still bring the sexy.

My children who are all wonderful human beings

Knowing that I had the capacity to love one man

with my whole heart for half my life

( that would be Brendan and Gavin's dad)

and another for half my life before that. . .

(Lise's dad).

Brightly colored walls give me joy

and so does travel to places near and far. . . .

I must be easy to please.

What spells JOY for you?

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Waste My Heart on Fear No More

2012-01-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

May Ihave the courage today
To live the life thatI would love,
To postpone my dreamno longer
But do at last what Icame here for
And waste my heart onfear no more.

~John O'Donohue ~

Share the Joy: Basics

2011-12-28T16:24:00.000-08:00

Things thatgive me JOY

Imagining a world

where everyone has fresh clean water

enough food to eat

Someone to love and laugh with

Sunshine as well as clouds (and enough rain for renewal)

A place to admire the grandeur of nature

and perhaps feel a little small. . . .

Somewhere they can feel like a star

and experience a few miracles along the way.

What spells JOY foryou?

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Meri Christmas

2011-12-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

May your days be filled with love,

Your heart with peace,

May you sow seeds of joy,

And may you always have a

“Meri” Christmas.

Share the Joy: Zoo Lights

2011-12-20T17:10:00.000-08:00

I got a jolt of JOY

from going to ZOO LIGHTS

with Gavin, Brendan,Katie and of course

the half-pint Logan.

Uncle Gavin took stroller duty

so Brendan and Katie could take photos.

(Danielle had to work, so she was left out.)

Logan had a ride on a camel with Mom

a ride on a snarling tiger with great big teeth

(Dad was by his side, device in hand)

and a ride on a prancing horse

He also did more than his share of mugging for the camera.

He loves being the center of attention.

Mostly, I’ll let theimages speak for themselves.

and then there's my favorite just because it's a light play shot

So what gave you JOY thisweek?

Fill us up to the brim.

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

A Gift from FinallyMe.com

2011-12-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone –

It’s the gift-giving season so I thought I’d pass along

A wonderful gift from FinallyMe.com.

If you go HERE, you can download mp3 files

of Christmas music by Danielle Egnew

and be inspired and uplifted

as you go through The Holly-Daze.

Share the Joy: Memories

2011-12-14T17:08:00.000-08:00

I’veexperienced much joy honoring the Virgin

With many ofyou over the first 12 days of December

In goingthrough my photo collection and being flooded bunches of great memories

So what gaveyou JOY this week?

Pour some inour cups!

1. do apost that tells and shows us

whatgives you joy.

2.Capture the URL of the specific post and paste it

into theMr. Linky box along with your name.

3. Thenclick the NEXT box (or the link)

tochoose an image from the post to hook to Mr. Linky's list

so thatpeople are enticed to visit your blog.

If youjust can't get it to work, send me the info

and I'lltry to link it for you.

4. Visitother players -- as many as possible --

and lettheir joy infect you.

Leavethem a comment, because everyone enJOYS

gettingpositive feedback.

Let'sstart an epidemic of joy!

Closing Doors

2011-12-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

I read a passage in a book not long ago

that said one of most painful kinds of marriage

is one in which your partner refuses

to fully commit his (or her) heart.

I can vouch for that.

For love to grow and flourish,

the author said,

the exit door has to close.

People can't grow within a relationship

if one partner is clinging to the thought

that somewhere out there,

there might be someone better.

If that partner secretly searches

for a better deal, all the while taking refuge

in the comfort of the marriage, the relationship can't

-- and probably shouldn't -- endure.

It takes a grown up to make

a commitment to fidelity,

to making one's Beloved "the love of a lifetime,"

to the notion that closing the door

to other potential partners opens up a big space

in the soul for a whole-hearted connection.

Let's hear it for fully latched doors

and the grownups who close them.

Let's hear it for love protected by lovers with integrity.

Blossom

2011-12-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

I don’thave a goal, because existence has no goal.

It simplyis, flowering, blossoming, dancing –

But don’task why.

Just anoverflow of energy

For noreason at all.

I am withexistence.

-BaghwanShree Rajneesh (1931 – 1990)

A Touch of Calypso Red

2011-12-10T09:11:00.001-08:00

Today, Ithought that I’d give you

a little peek at my poetry volume.

Here’s thepoem that gave it its name.

Calypso Red

She silently sashays

from the rumpled bed,

little rivers running

sticky down her legs.

Her feet caress the carpet,

pianissimo, the sound of

rain so shy it's not yet

saying hello to the roof.

She holds her breath

a moment, just to listen

to him breathe. And

just because she can,

she inhales his scent,

that tangy musk she'd

pick out even if

the laundry cart

were filled with T-shirts

from a dozen differentmen.

She marvels at how quickly

he succumbed to sleep

when she's electrified.

She shuts the bathroom door

Just so, easing it

against the frame

with infinite care,

holding the knob

in her hand and

rotating it ever so gently

until she feels the tongue

slip into waiting lips

and linger there.

From the well of silence,

she pulls up a bucket

of light, so she can

admire her glossy toenails,

the ones he lacquered in

calypso red while

humming Unchained Melody

because he'd forgotten

some of the words.

She recalls his lips,

plumped by tiny bites

of concentration,

his eyes lowered like

a sultry sun caressing

the horizon as he

brushed thin lines

of polished poetry

along each perfect nail.

Not for the first time,

and not for the last,

she feelssupple fingers

of pleasuredancing

sambas on herspine.

Now, for some serious EYE CANDY
go visit Cottage and Broome.

Oh my gosh!

Meri's Musings

Postcards from Paradise: Artful Flora

Haiku My Heart: It's Not Spring Yet

Share The Joy: Color, Details, and Progress

Camera Bag

Postcards from Paradise: Venezia

Enough Said

Dangerous Thinking

Share the Joy: Tests

Stillness

Share the Joy: Art & Quotes

Disparate

Share the Joy: Happy Words

To Lift Your Spirits. . .

Share the Joy: Travel

Field Trip

Haiku My Heart: Color

Share the Joy: Rebecca and Gavin

Walk With Rebecca

Time Machines

Prayers for Rebecca

Share the Joy: Bizarro Snowmen

Snow Day Misery

Share the Joy: Little Bits

Shine

Listen to me:The secret is to shine your own lightand follow your own path.Don't worry about the darkness.Only in darkness do the stars shine brightly.

Essence

Share the Joy

Waste My Heart on Fear No More

Share the Joy: Basics

Meri Christmas

Share the Joy: Zoo Lights

A Gift from FinallyMe.com

Share the Joy: Memories

Closing Doors

Blossom

A Touch of Calypso Red

Listen to me:
The secret is to shine your own light
and follow your own path.
Don't worry about the darkness.
Only in darkness do the stars shine brightly.